Gutter Cleaning

I have some gutters to clean at a very tall 2 story house. The next door neighbor has tall maple trees (very frustrating). That makes me need to clean them out twice a year. Borrowing the neighbors 40' ladder everytime is getting frustrating.

Is there a good/reasonbly priced hose or pressure washer extension product?

I was also thinking about cobbling something together using plumbing components like galvanized pipe or copper (for weight), or a combo of both.

Gutter Cleaning

Been there, done this: For m sister and BIL's tow story house; Use two or so pieces of 1/2" PVC pipe, place a 90º ell on the end, a short piece of pipe, another 90º, then a short piece running downward and leaning at about 45º. Put an adapter on the bottom end for a water hose to attach to. I've used this to clean their gutters and my sis can use it also, and she's lazy.

Gutter Cleaning

My solution to this problem has been to use about a 2.5 inch rigid pvc pipe with a 180 deg. loop at the business end and then adapted to my Rigid Shop Vac hose on the other end. I walk along the gutter from the ground and vaccuum-out the gutter. Sometimes sticks and such get stuck but it's much easier than ladders and climbing.

I dream about owning a boom truck for this and to wash-off the roof under the trees...

Gutter Cleaning

I'll never say that this set-up is as strong as metal piping, but it works and an average person is able to handle this unit, even with the slight bending due to water pressure. The piping will bend some in direct proportion to the water pressure and the size of the opening on the end. The piece on the end is angled at the 45º to help blow debris out of the gutter. And there again, I never said it was a clean operation to the operator. But, as said, this beats climbing, moving and climbing ladders.

Gutter Cleaning

Best way I've found that is quick, easy, efficient, and fast is to cover the strainer to the downpipes and use a leaf blower to blow out them gutters. Maybe 10 minutes and that includes putting away the ladder.

Gutter Cleaning

Good point on not addressing the OP's problem.

Consider renting a boom truck or the like once to twice a year and do all of the gutters on all of the properties at once. This may not be as prohibitive price-wise as you think. And a lot safer. You don't want to be on the receiving end of gravity if you make one silly slip-up...

Gutter Cleaning

I would think that it would be cost efficient to install good quality gutter toppers on ALL the properties. The building owner can depreciate the cost of installation, and you don't have to take your life into your hands twice a year. Climbing up a 40' ladder when you don't really have to is a risk I would bet you'd rather not take. That, or I would hire a 3rd party to do it.

I have Leaf Relief on the upper gutters of my house (the lower gutters are on the first floor eaves) and have been very happy with them. They were like they are supposed to.